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Bonner named next president of UA

Judy Bonner was named permanent president of the University of Alabama at a specially held meeting of the UA Board of Trustees today at the Bryant Conference Center, making her the first woman to hold the post on a permanent basis.

Dusty Compton | Tuscaloosa News

By Kim EatonStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 10:24 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 10:24 a.m.

The University of Alabama's new top administrator promised Thursday to do "whatever it takes to do a good job."

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"I've been at the university a long time. I know a lot about the University of Alabama and I love the University of Alabama," said Judy Bonner, who was named president of the University of Alabama at a specially held meeting of the UA Board of Trustees today at the Bryant Conference Center, making her the first woman to hold the post on a permanent basis.

"It's exciting to be named president of this great university, and I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity," she added.

With more than 30 years at the university, including about six months as interim president earlier this year when Robert Witt took over the role of chancellor, Bonner has shown an exemplary record and has "clearly demonstrated she has the full range of skills needed" for her new role, Witt told the board when making his recommendation.

Bonner said she did not apply for the president's position when it became available earlier this year. Serving as provost, executive vice president and interim president, Bonner said she had "enough balls in the air and didn't need to be a candidate at the same time."

"I had my hands full helping the university have a seamless transition" after Witt's tenure ended, she said.

Shortly after Guy Bailey was selected in July to lead the university, the board implemented a new policy that states anyone serving in an interim role cannot apply for the permanent position, Witt said.

The reason behind the policy is that if a chancellor or president appoints someone to serve in an interim position, and that person also applies for the permanent position, someone from the outside might not believe it is a serious search, he added.

One of the criteria for the initial search was that Witt's replacement be a sitting president, but Witt said Bonner's performance as interim president was "so strong" that the requirement was no longer necessary.

Bonner will now name an interim provost, which she hopes to do "quickly," and an international search will be conducted to permanently fill that role.

Faculty Senate president Steve Miller said, while he was sad to hear about Bailey's departure, he was "proud" of the decision to name Bonner president.

"She sees herself first as a faculty member and that resonates well with the faculty senate," Miller said. "Continuity at UA is really important ... and she'll continue that and continue the momentum Witt started. She has great vision and she will not stop."

Student Government Association President Matt Calderone was also "enthusiastic" about the news and looked forward to continue working with Bonner.

"I've worked with her (as interim president) and she's not only been a mentor, but a friend," he said.

Bonner replaces Bailey, who turned in his resignation to Witt on Wednesday, citing his wife's health problems.

“This is a decision my wife, Jan, and I made together after much discussion about how we can best address her health, which is the most important priority in our lives,” Bailey said in a statement. “We want to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni and our many friends for your warm welcome. My family and I appreciate your understanding and your prayers.”

Bonner said she was aware of the health issues his family was facing, and she enjoyed serving as provost under his leadership.

Bailey's resignation was accepted by the board Thursday; Bailey was not in attendance.

"We understand and respect his priorities and honor his wishes," said Paul Bryant Jr., the board's president pro tempore.

Bonner has served in some capacity at UA since 1981, where she began as an associate professor and head of the department of human nutrition and hospitality management. Following that position, she served as special assistant to the president and assistant academic vice president. From 1989 to 2003, she was dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, followed by three years as provost and vice president for academic affairs. She has been provost and executive vice president since April 1, 2006.

Bonner received her bachelor's in dietetics from UA in 1969, a master's in food and nutrition from UA in 1973 and a Ph.D. in human nutrition from Ohio State in 1976. Her professional career in Alabama began in January 1980 when she was named assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

<p>The University of Alabama's new top administrator promised Thursday to do "whatever it takes to do a good job."</p><p>"I've been at the university a long time. I know a lot about the University of Alabama and I love the University of Alabama," said Judy Bonner, who was named president of the University of Alabama at a specially held meeting of the UA Board of Trustees today at the Bryant Conference Center, making her the first woman to hold the post on a permanent basis. </p><p>"It's exciting to be named president of this great university, and I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity," she added. </p><p>With more than 30 years at the university, including about six months as interim president earlier this year when Robert Witt took over the role of chancellor, Bonner has shown an exemplary record and has "clearly demonstrated she has the full range of skills needed" for her new role, Witt told the board when making his recommendation. </p><p>Bonner said she did not apply for the president's position when it became available earlier this year. Serving as provost, executive vice president and interim president, Bonner said she had "enough balls in the air and didn't need to be a candidate at the same time."</p><p>"I had my hands full helping the university have a seamless transition" after Witt's tenure ended, she said.</p><p>Shortly after Guy Bailey was selected in July to lead the university, the board implemented a new policy that states anyone serving in an interim role cannot apply for the permanent position, Witt said. </p><p>The reason behind the policy is that if a chancellor or president appoints someone to serve in an interim position, and that person also applies for the permanent position, someone from the outside might not believe it is a serious search, he added. </p><p>One of the criteria for the initial search was that Witt's replacement be a sitting president, but Witt said Bonner's performance as interim president was "so strong" that the requirement was no longer necessary. </p><p>Bonner will now name an interim provost, which she hopes to do "quickly," and an international search will be conducted to permanently fill that role. </p><p>Faculty Senate president Steve Miller said, while he was sad to hear about Bailey's departure, he was "proud" of the decision to name Bonner president.</p><p>"She sees herself first as a faculty member and that resonates well with the faculty senate," Miller said. "Continuity at UA is really important ... and she'll continue that and continue the momentum Witt started. She has great vision and she will not stop."</p><p>Student Government Association President Matt Calderone was also "enthusiastic" about the news and looked forward to continue working with Bonner. </p><p>"I've worked with her (as interim president) and she's not only been a mentor, but a friend," he said. </p><p>Bonner replaces Bailey, who turned in his resignation to Witt on Wednesday, citing his wife's health problems. </p><p>“This is a decision my wife, Jan, and I made together after much discussion about how we can best address her health, which is the most important priority in our lives,” Bailey said in a statement. “We want to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni and our many friends for your warm welcome. My family and I appreciate your understanding and your prayers.”</p><p>Bonner said she was aware of the health issues his family was facing, and she enjoyed serving as provost under his leadership.</p><p>Bailey's resignation was accepted by the board Thursday; Bailey was not in attendance.</p><p>"We understand and respect his priorities and honor his wishes," said Paul Bryant Jr., the board's president pro tempore.</p><p>Bonner has served in some capacity at UA since 1981, where she began as an associate professor and head of the department of human nutrition and hospitality management. Following that position, she served as special assistant to the president and assistant academic vice president. From 1989 to 2003, she was dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, followed by three years as provost and vice president for academic affairs. She has been provost and executive vice president since April 1, 2006.</p><p>Bonner received her bachelor's in dietetics from UA in 1969, a master's in food and nutrition from UA in 1973 and a Ph.D. in human nutrition from Ohio State in 1976. Her professional career in Alabama began in January 1980 when she was named assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham.</p>